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Tagliabue chosen TSN's most powerful in sports

Sports Briefs

ST. LOUIS -- NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue was chosen Wednesday by The Sporting News as the most powerful person in sports, heading a list that also includes President Bush.

It's the first time Tagliabue has headed the annual list. He has been on the list every year since 1990, three times chosen at No. 2.

Bush was picked at No. 9, the first time a president has appeared on the list. The magazine said Bush, a former part-owner of the Texas Rangers, was chosen for his leadership after the terrorist attacks.

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Senior point guard J.P. Blevins has broken his right wrist and will be out of action for four to six weeks, Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said Wednesday.

Blevins suffered the injury during a layup attempt in the first half against Indiana on Saturday. X-rays performed at the University of Kentucky Medical Center confirmed the fracture.

''This is just a terrible injury for J.P. There's no one on this team that's worked as hard as he did getting ready for the season and now he's been dealt a second significant injury,'' Smith said.

Blevins has played in seven of nine games this season with three starts. He averaged 2.7 points and 1.4 assists per game. He missed the first two games of the season with a severely sprained right ankle that he injured during the Athletes in Action exhibition game on Nov. 11.

Angels sign Aaron Sele to three-year deal

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Aaron Sele, one of baseball's winningest pitchers over the last four years and an All-Star with the Seattle Mariners last season, signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Anaheim Angels.

The 31-year-old right-hander has won 69 games since 1998, the most by an AL pitcher during that time. Only Randy Johnson (76), Greg Maddux (73) and Tom Glavine (71) -- all NL pitchers -- have more victories over that span.

Sele will receive $7.5 million next season, $8 million in 2003 and $8.5 million in 2004.

Mariners sign Sierra to one-year deal

SEATTLE -- Free-agent outfielder Ruben Sierra signed a one-year, $1.9 million deal with the Seattle Mariners.

Sierra, a switch-hitter, hit .291 with 23 home runs and 67 RBIs in 94 games with the Texas Rangers last season.

He is a career .270 hitter with 263 homers and 1,121 RBIs.

Sierra's first few seasons were promising. In 1987-89, he averaged 27 homers and 108 RBIs. By the late '90s, he had played with the Athletics, Yankees, Tigers, Reds, Blue Jays and White Sox, and his playing time and numbers diminished.

Bettis questionable for Bengals game

PITTSBURGH -- Steelers running back Jerome Bettis is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals after missing Pittsburgh's last three games with a groin injury.

He skipped Wednesday's practice, as he has done most of the season, even when healthy.

The Steelers need one victory -- or one loss by the Oakland Raiders -- to clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

Joining Bettis on the sideline Wednesday were linebackers Earl Holmes (knee) and Joey Porter (shoulder) and running back Amos Zereoue (shoulder). All three players are listed as probable on the Steelers' injury report.

Clarke Central wins at tourney in Atlanta

Ganiyat Adeduntan scored 19 points and Shuantae McRae added 12 as the Lady Gladiators reached the second round of the Nike Peach State tournament at Morehouse College in Atlanta with a 49-31 win over Hephzibah.

Clarke Central is now 7-4 on the season and advanced to play Narbonne (Carson, Calif.) today at 10 a.m.